Carlisle City brought home a good point from a 2-2 draw in the Northern League First Division.
Manager Jim Nichols thought it was probably a fair result from what had been an exceptionally open game.
But he expressed disappointment at a crucial moment when City ‘scored’ but the goal wasn’t given and the home side broke to take the lead 2-1.
He said: “The ball hit the bar and down into the side netting before coming out but play was waved on and they broke right down field and scored.
“But the lads showed a lot of character and came back to equalise. Callum Birdsall [Carlisle City’s new recruit from Cleator Moor Celtic] was fouled in the area and Jordan Irving scored from the spot.
“I think overall we created as many chances as we had in the previous three or four League games in what was a very open game – probably more open than we would prefer as managers.
“We led 1-0 at half-time but unfortunately they equalised just after half-time – a header from a free kick which was unlike us to concede that way.”
Jordan Holt had given City the lead on 44 minutes while Carlisle United second-year youth keeper Lewis Boyd, on a work experience loan, helped maintain that lead with two excellent stops.
Nichols is now looking forward to the Cumbrian derby tomorrow night when they play Penrith at Frenchfield.
“We know it’s going to be tough, because it’s that sort of fixture, but we will go there with confidence and hope to get the result we want. We should have a full squad available,” said Nichols.
